16 Awesome Things to do in Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka

Hikkaduwa is a town located only 100 kilometers south of Colombo on Sri Lanka’s Southern Coast. It’s beautiful beaches and large array of restaurants and hotels makes it a top choice for holidaymakers – both local and international.

However, once in Hikkaduwa, it isn’t immediately clear what exactly there is to do. Besides lounging on the beach, how should you spend your time?

This is what we thought when we first arrived in Hikkaduwa, but after some research and exploring, we discovered there is actually a wide variety of things to do in Hikkaduwa.

In this blog, I’m going to share with you all of the information and things to do that I discovered on my recent trip in Hikkaduwa.

1. Swim with the turtles

Swimming with turtles is one of the best things to do in Hikkaduwa!

Location:

Hikkaduwa Main Beach

Cost:

Free

Rating

5/5 – One of the best wild turtle encounters in Sri Lanka

If you’ve ever wanted to swim in the ocean with massive sea turtles Hikkaduwa is the place to do it.

Right from the shore in town you can easily spot many sea turtles just hanging out in the water. They aren’t scared of people and often swim right up to you!

There is one particular spot that always seems to have turtles in Hikkaduwa. The spot is located in front of the Hikka Tranz Cinnamon hotel. You can easily get here from the main beach in Hikkaduwa, just turn left (if you’re facing the ocean) and walk up around the bay until you reach the end.

Here, you will see a couple of signs about the turtles. This is where you are most likely to spot them!

If you’re confused just look for the concrete steps and handrail in front of the hotel on the beach or just ask one of the lifeguards.

One word of advice, don’t touch or feed the turtles as its actually a crime in Sri Lanka. Try to just watch them peacefully and disturb them as little as possible!

2. Watch baby turtles hatch and run for the ocean

A baby turtle heads for the ocean on Hikkaduwa Beach!

Location:

Hikkaduwa Beach

Cost:

Free

Rating:

5/5 – Very nice experience and the babies are so cute!

If you love turtles as much as I do, then swimming with the adults is great, but seeing baby turtles is even better!

On Hikkaduwa Beach, they have a small guarded turtle hatchery where they keep turtle eggs. Between the months of January and April, it is possible to visit this enclosure and see if any turtles are hatching. In the evening, around 6:30 pm, they release the turtles from the enclosure and let them run for the ocean!

You can visit the hatchery at any time when you walk along the main beach, however, there may not be any turtles in it. Keep checking throughout the day as once they hatch you’ll know they’re about to be released!

This is a public area and free for anybody to join. They even let some tourists help transport the baby turtle from the hatchery to the beach.

Watching the turtles is very special and easily one of the
best things to do in Hikkadewa.

3. Go to the Tsunami Museum

Inside the Tsunami Museum

Location:

On the outskirts of Hikkaduwa heading north

Cost:

Free but donations are appreciated

Rating:

5/5 – Great way to remember those lost. There are photos of the dead so it may not be suited to young children.

The Tsunami Museum is one of the best free things to do in Hikkaduwa. It is located just outside of the town about a 10-minute drive from the town center.

The museum isn’t your typical museum, instead, it is a families’ home where a lady has collected and displayed information and photographs about the tsunami that occurred in 2004.

The photos and words written are very heartbreaking. It really makes you think about how devastating this natural disaster was for so many people. The family who runs the museum also lived on that exact property when the tsunami hit so if you have any questions they are more than happy to chat with you about it.

The Tsunami Museum is free, but if you enjoyed it be sure to leave a small donation at the donation box near the entrance!

You can take a tuk-tuk out to the museum from town or even rent a motorbike or push-bike and ride there yourself. Out near the Tsunami Museum are a couple of other great points of interest I’m about to mention…

4. Visit the “Big Buddha” (Tsunami Honganji Viharaya)

The Big Buddha Statue!

Location:

Outskirts of Hikkaduwa near tsunami museum

Cost:

Free but donations are excepted

Rating:

4/5 – It’s a beautiful statue and represents the hight of the tsunami

Near the Tsunami Museum is the “Big Buddha”. You simply can’t miss it as it is a very large Buddha statue on the side of the road. The first time we simply drove by and thought “oh cool.” But then the lady at our hotel told us we needed to go back and actually check it out, so we did.

When we arrived at the Buddha we were greeted by a friendly older man who pointed us to some information about the Buddha on a sign. He then told us to go inside where a young monk showed us many different photographs of the tsunami and the damage it caused in the area.

It turns out; this Buddha was built to honor those who died in the tsunami, specifically those who died on the train. There was a passenger train in which over 1700 people died when the tsunami hit. The train was on the track directly behind the Buddha when this happened.

The Buddha is 18m high which is meant to represent the
height of the wave that crashed into the train.

It is free to visit this Buddha but they will ask you for a small donation.

5. Visit the Buddist Temple and Monastery (Sri Pushparama Temple)

Me and the monk that showed us around the Buddhist monastery

Location:

On the outskirts of town near the Buddha Statue

Cost:

Free – donations are appreciated

Rating:

4/5 – A real authentic monastery experience

If you follow the road behind the Big Buddha statue for about 1 kilometer you will reach a Buddhist temple and monastery. Here, there is one particular monk who will show you around.

We had no idea this place existed and definitely didn’t know that it welcomed visitors, but the monk at the Buddha statue told us to go – so we did.

When we arrived we were greeted by Rev.Mawadavila Shantha Thero, a monk who runs the monastery. He gave us some home cooked sweets as well as tea and chatted with us about where we were from and his background. After, he showed us around the place including a tour of the temple.

We learned about many Buddhist philosophies as well as stories. It was very interesting and the monk showing us around was super nice and open to our questions. The entire experience took about 30 minutes and was a very genuine and interesting way to learn about the Buddhist religion.

This too was free and even though we weren’t asked for a donation
we knew that it was assumed that we would give one.

6. Go to the Turtle Hatchery

Location:

Near the big Buddha statue

Cost:

500 Rupees

Rating:

5/5 – Really great cause to support and see and learn aboutturtles

Just in case you didn’t already see enough turtles in town, you can visit the designated hatchery. This hatchery is located only a couple hundred meters from the Big Buddha and is free to visit.

Here, you can see both adult and baby turtles. These turtles have been rescued and at the hatchery, they are nursing them back to health before releasing them into the ocean. It is also a safe place for turtle eggs before they hatch and can be released into the ocean.

The turtle hatchery is open every day from 9 am to 6 pm.

7. Eat Seafood

A huge plate of deep fried calamari!

Location:

Any restaurant in Hikkaduwa

Cost:

1,000 – 2,000 Rupees

Rating:

5/5 – The seafood is very fresh and well priced

There is an abundance of seafood available in Hikkaduwa and there are also a ton of great (and affordable) restaurants to eat at! This makes Hikkaduwa the perfect place to try some fresh seafood. Everything from fish, crab, and lobster is available and it is pretty reasonably priced.

There are a few restaurants on the beach as well as plenty lining the main street in town. Expect to pay about 1,200 LKR ($7 USD) for a main of seafood, or splurge and get a seafood platter for two for about 4,000 LKR ($22 USD)!

We ate at one particular seafood restaurant which was very good called Red Lobster. It is definitely worth stopping at for dinner one night while you’re in Hikkaduwa.

8. Visit a Tea Shop

The cutest tea sop!

Location:

There are many dotted around town

Cost:

Free to visit

Rating:

3/5 – Great if you’re not heading to Ella

Sri Lanka is world famous for tea! In Hikkaduwa, there are a few different shops that you can visit to buy some tea or just have a cup. The Ranra Tea Shop is a very nice little shop with a ton of different tea of offer.

Tea makes for a great souvenir or gift to bring back to family or friends. If you want to try tea for yourself, have a seat and order a cup for only 200 LKR.

Of course If your going to visit Ella then this may not be high on your list.

9. Get Tailor-Made Clothing

Location:

Around Hikkaduwa town

Cost:

Very dependent on what you get made

Rating:

3/5 – Great way to take a unique gift/souvenir home

If you have ever wanted to get clothing tailor-made for you Hikkaduwa is the place to do it! There are various tailors around town to choose from but the one that comes highly recommended is called Apsara Tailors.

Here you can choose a design and fabric and the little old lady who runs the shop will measure you up and have a custom-made outfit ready within 24 hours.

Prices depend on what exactly you choose to get made and the material, but it is very reasonable. Many people choose to get bathing suits or swimshorts made! This is not only a fun thing to do in Hikkaduwa, but also makes a great souvenir!

10. Go on a catamaran snorkel tour

Hikkaduwa Beach!

Location:

Tours can be booked from most shops in town

Cost:

2,000 Rupees for one hour

Rating:

3/5 – The reef isn’t what it used to be but the tour is cheap

If you want to get out on the water there are various snorkel tours you can do that take you out on a catamaran. On these tours, you are pretty much guaranteed to see turtles as well as fish and coral.

Expect to pay about 2,000 LRK ($11.50 USD) per person for an hour-long tour including snorkel gear. Tours can be booked right on the beach in town or at one of the many tour shops. The more people you have together to go, the cheaper of deal you’ll be able to negotiate!

It is important to note that the coral in the reef near Hikkaduwa is quite damaged. Years of tourism and unregulated activities have caused this damage. So, just be aware that you might not see the beautiful brightly colored coral you’re expecting. However, that’s not to say the snorkel trip isn’t worth it – just make sure you choose an ethical operator!

During the right times of year (October to April) scuba diving is also a very popular thing to do in the area.

11. Go on a River Safari

Location:

Tours start in town but are in a river 20 minutes from town

Cost:

3,000 Rupees

Rating:

3/5 – To be honest we didn’t do this but it seemed to look ok

North of Hikkaduwa is the Madu River. Going on a river safari is one of the most popular activities in Hikkaduwa.

Tours will pick you up in town and take you out to the river’s edge where you board a boat. Your guide will explain about the river, the area, and any animals you see along the way. Expect to see crocodiles and monkeys! You will also get the chance to try some fresh local fruit.

Tours cost around 3,000 LKR per person for this 3-hour long tour. If you do have your own transport, you can opt to drive yourself out to the river (20 kilometers) and this will save you some money as the river safari alone only costs about 2,000 LKR per person.

12. Learn to surf

From the months of December to March surfing is popular here. The waves are suited for beginners and boards are available to rent right on the beach.

If you have never surfed before then consider joining a lesson. You can pay anyone of the board rental guys to teach you and its a great way to get a good foundation. Lessons start at around 2,000 rupees for an hour and include your board rental.

For the more advanced there are also some great waves to be had with a short paddle out to the bigger reef break.

Board rentals start at around 500 rupees for an hour or 1,300 rupees for the day.

13. Paddle-boarding

Location:

Hikkaduwa Beach

Cost:

500 to 1,000 Rupees

Rating:

4/5 – Fun activity suited to most people

Paddleboarding is super fun and a great way to test your balance. Although it seems easy paddle boarding can be a challenge at first. Hikkaduwa isn’t the calmest beach so it will be a good abb workout.

If you’ve paddle boarded before then you can also try surf some of the smaller waves on your board. Its very hard but super fun!

Paddle board hire is similar to surf board rentals and can be rented from the same guys on the beach who do surf board rentals in Hikkaduwa.

To be honest I am not sure what it’s like. The guy running the tours said you can catch a huge range of fish including Barracuda, Seer, Giant trevally and Queen Fish. During the right season, it’s very likely you will catch something. The best season for fishing is between December and March.

The thing I liked most is you can take your catch to a restaurant and have it cooked for a small fee.

Tours are around $450 USD and can take up to 6 people. Compared with game fishing in other parts of the world (like Australia where you’ll pay $300 a person) this is very cheap.

15. Visit the Galle Fort

Galle Fort on a beautiful day in Sri Lanka!

Location:

Galle around 15 minutes from Hikkaduwa

Cost:

Free

Rating:

5/5 – It’s very beautiful and in my opinion a must do

Take a day trip out to Galle (21 kilometers away ) and check out the Galle Fort! There is a great tour available which will take you to the Galle Fort from Hikkaduwa as well as visit a tea factory! Click here for more information!

The Galle fort is a UNESCO world heritage site and a beautiful place to explore especially if you love history. Entrance to the fort is free however you must pay $5 USD to visit the museum.

16. Drink fresh fruit juice

Me, drinking fresh fruit juice, it’s so good!

Location:

Around town, this place was near the bus station

Cost:

200 Rupees

Rating:

3/5 – If you love fresh fruit juice it is a must

Fresh fruit juice is offered everywhere is Hikkaduwa and it’s cheap. Pay only 200 LKR for a huge glass of pineapple, mango, banana, or passionfruit juice!

Our favorite place was near the bus terminal in town and it was so cheap!

Where to Stay in Hikkaduwa

There is a range of accommodation available in Hikkaduwa. The biggest factor when deciding on a Hikkaduwa hotel is your budget. Below are some great choices for places to stay in Hikkaduwa to suit all budgets!

High Budget

Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon – This is the perfect option for those who want luxury all while having an exciting holiday. It is located right in the town center but also on the beach (right where the turtles swim!)

Riff Hikkaduwa – If you want a little bit of a quieter location then this hotel is perfect. It is still close enough to town when you want to go there but you get a much more private beach.

Mid-range Budget

Citrus Hikkaduwa – Offers a beachfront infinity pool and onsite bar and restaurant. Rooms range in price but if you don’t mind missing out on the “sea view” you can get a great deal!

Coral Sands Hotel – Right on Hikkaduwa beach, this hotel offers two pools in a modern building. Rooms have air conditioning, sea views, and are very reasonably priced!

Low Budget

Lucky Beachfront Hostel – This hostel is perfect for solo travelers on a budget or those who don’t mind dorm beds. The hostel is located right on town and right on the water so you can’t complain about the $5 USD price tag!

Relax Inn – This is where Dan and I stayed while in Hikkaduwa. Although it was located a few minutes from town, they had a pool, lovely air-conditioned rooms with a balcony, and it was cheap! We particularly like supporting small local businesses when we travel and staying at family-run guesthouses like this one is how we do it!

The pool at Relax Inn Hikkaduwa. Can you believe this place is only $15 USD a night for an air-conditioned room?!

Getting to Hikkaduwa

You have three different options for getting to Hikkaduwa. You can choose to take public transport, which is the cheapest option; rent your own tuk-tuk, motorbike, or car and drive yourself; or hire a driver for a private transfer.

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The Faces of Destinationless Travel

We are Dan and Bailey, just your typical thrill-seeking travelers! You will likely find us hiking, scuba diving, catching public transport, or just drinking beer at a hostel. Our motto is "you can't get lost if you don't have a destination" and that's why we call our blog Destinationless Travel! Cheers for joining us on our adventures!